Five reports available right now on Black Entrepreneurship in Canada

As a key part of the Government of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program, the BEKH is developing large-scale qualitative and quantitative studies, as well as a network mapping of Black entrepreneurial ecosystem at the local, regional and national levels. These are meant to have practical applications for advocacy, policy development, and more, all in support of Black entrepreneurs.

A lot of work has gone into researching Black entrepreneurship over the years, but there are still some gaps and questions to be answered.

Here are five reports on Black entrepreneurship in Canada that we’ll be building upon.

INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURS: EXPLORING THE BARRIERS FACING BLACK ENTREPRENEURS IN CANADA (ABACUS DATA/AFRICAN CANADIAN SENATE GROUP/SENATOR COLIN DEACON, COMMUNITY PARTNERS)

One of the most extensive reports on Black entrepreneurship in Canada was initiated by Senator Colin Deacon, the African Canadian Senate Group and Abacus Data with the support of a number of community partners.

Published in May 2001, the report contains a number of telling findings, including 44% of Black entrepreneurs not being able to pay themselves from their business.

BUILDING BLACK BUSINESSES IN CANADA (CANADIAN BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/BDC)

Published in February 2021, Building Black Businesses in Canada is an “in-depth report that addresses Black entrepreneurs in Canada, their experiences, and attitudes towards accessing capital.”

Aside from providing stats on the experience of Black entrepreneurs in Canada today, it also provides some history on Black entrepreneurship in Canada across various provinces and territories. It contrasts that with profiles on current Black entrepreneurs, providing a past and present picture of Black entrepreneurship in this country.

RISE UP: A STUDY OF 700 BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (BBPA, Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, de Sedulous Women Leaders)

There are two reports on our list that focus specifically on Black women entrepreneurs. The first is Rise Up: A Study of 700 Black Women Entrepreneurs.

The report responds to four core questions:

1. What inspired you to be a business owner?

2. What is your greatest achievement to date as a business owner?

3. What do you need to achieve [your business] goals [for the next three years]?

4. How has the pandemic affected your business?

The report does a good job of identifying the motivations and barriers impacting Black women entrepreneurs, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses.

FOUNDHERS: THE FIRST AND LARGEST MARKET STUDY OF BLACK WOMEN FOUNDERS IN CANADA (PITCH PERFECT)

The second report on Black women entrepreneurs comes from the Black-owned market research company Pitch Perfect. Published in June 2021, the report is considered the first and largest market study on Black women founders in Canada. It has gained a lot of traction having been featured in the Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, Forbes, CBC and more.

Their website features an interactive dashboard reflecting the regionality of Black women founders across Canada. It’s an effective tool that allows you to find actual businesses owned by Black women.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON AFRICAN NOVA SCOTIAN BUSINESSES (Black Business Initiative/Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency/Nova Scotia Business Inc.)

Lastly, we have Impact of COVID-19 on African Nova Scotian Business published by Black Business Initiative, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Nova Scotia Business Inc. True to the report’s name, it provides a good overview of how African Nova Scotian business fared during the pandemic and the barriers they continue to face.

The BEKH will be undertaking extensive national community consultation as a part of our research. We will be looking for community and regional research partners who want to work with us to address challenges, barriers and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for more information on how you can help.